Wage payment is a topic that affects everybody who works for a living in the state of Arkansas. Fair payment of earned wages is necessary for employees to pay their rent and bills, provide food and necessities for their families, pay for transportation, and more– in short, it keeps the state of Arkansas and its people in motion.

That’s why it’s important to understand the ins and outs of wage payment laws in Arkansas. Having a good understanding of how it all works means that you can potentially avoid unlawfully withheld wages, and means that you can understand how much you get paid and when. Because while we enjoy our jobs, and building a career is an important part of life, money is the primary motivating factor in what we do on a daily basis.

How often do employees get paid in Arkansas?

Often, the frequency of wage payment in Arkansas is determined by the employer. However, the state requires that employers must pay at least semimonthly– in other words, at least twice per month.

Any employer that doesn’t follow this law is subject to fines that can reach up to $500 per offense. The only exception to this rule: managers and any other employees who are exempt from the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act). These employees might include executives, administrative professionals, or outside sales professionals. 

Other employees who are potentially exempt from FLSA standards include farm workers, drivers, mechanics, seasonal employees, commissioned sales employees, airline employees, workers with disabilities, and more.

For example, a manager who makes more than $25,000 per year and is employed by a company grossing over $500,000 per year may be paid monthly.

How do employees get paid in Arkansas?

There are multiple payment methods that are legally acceptable in the state of Arkansas.

Employers can pay wages in cash, via check, bank draft, or by direct deposit. In Arkansas, employers are not legally permitted to require their employees to be paid via direct deposit, although in order to refuse this service they’re required to write and sign a letter stating that they do not wish to receive payment via direct deposit.

Some state employees are an exception to this rule– some government employees are required to accept payment via direct deposit as a condition of their employment. However, your employer will let you know how they disburse payment so that you can determine which method works best for you.

What if an employer pays with a bad check in Arkansas?

If an employer pays wages with a check drawn from an account without the sufficient funds required for payment, the employee is legally permitted to require that future wages be paid in cash.

Will I get paid if I get fired or laid off?

In Arkansas, regardless of the reason for termination, an employer is required to pay all outstanding wages within seven days of their discharge from the position– but only if the discharged employee has specifically requested this payment.

If the discharged employee does not formally request payment, their employer has until the next payday to disburse the payment.

Will I get paid if I quit my job?

There is no formal state law regarding payment of wages for an employee who quits their job. That means that when you quit your job in the state of Arkansas, it’s ultimately between you and your employer to determine when the remaining owed wages will be paid.

What if my employer refuses to pay me?

Although there are a number of laws in place to regulate wage payment in Arkansas, it’s always possible that an employer will try to get away without proper payment of earned wages. In this situation, it’s always the best practice to seek out legal counsel.

At Davidson Law Firm, we will work to protect your livelihood– and that means going after the money you are owed. We know that your hard-earned money is important to you, and we’ll use the full extent of our experience and knowledge to get it to you. 

If you’re dealing with difficulties regarding fair and legal wage payment in the state of Arkansas, contact us today. We’re here to help.